Sickle Cell Anemia

Sickle Cell Anemia
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Sickle Cell Anemia
Introduction
Sickle cell anemia represents one of the various blood disorders categorized as sickle cell disease (SCD). It is a life-threatening condition in the absence of comprehensive treatment due to its diverse impact on the functional capability of the cardiovascular/blood organ systems. Inusa et al. (2019) describe it as a commonplace disorder with concerning epidemiological trends globally. The authors add that Sub-Saharan Africa is the most burdened region with this condition, considering that more than 80% of the approximately 300,000 yearly births of children with this illness occur in the area. However, other nationals experience significant burdens due to the continued immigration from countries with a high prevalence of disease-causing genes (Inusa et al., 2019). Although the condition often causes early mortality rates in children, advancements in healthcare practices have gradually changed the trends, enabling many patients to survive and live with the disease through adulthood and old age. Thus, this research investigates the causes, clinical presentations, treatment approaches, prognosis, emerging management strategies, and interactive effects of sickle cell anemia on other organ systems.
Causes of Sickle Cell Anemia
The disease is a genetically related condition caused by hemoglobin beta gene mutation. According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders (2020), patients inherit it “in an autosomal recessive manner,” leading to abnormally shaped red blood cells. Brandow and Liem (2022)report that the red blood cells of individuals with this condition suffer a glutamic acid replacement with valine in the 6th position, creating hemoglobin S, which presents heightened polymerization. The gene alteration affects these cells’ standard shape, making a sickle-like form characterized by stickiness and stiffness. As a result, they trigger clinical symptoms when interacting with other circulatory system components, leading to blockages and interruption of normal blood flow. Such outcomes demonstrate the immediate impact of the gene mutation associated with sickle cell anemia.